Special needs boat configuration

ABSTRACT

Boat configurations and implementations are provided to make it more accessible for disabled people to participate in boating, commercial or recreational. A boat engine may be positioned in front of the helm, a flat boat deck may allow access to the engine and helm by a person in a wheelchair or similar physical impairment, and a flat access to the boat deck at the stern of the boat may allow disabled people to easily get on board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/646,249 filed on Mar. 21, 2018. The disclosure of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

People with disabilities, and specifically, wounded veterans find it difficult to participate in a number of regular activities. Boating, for commercial or recreational purposes, is one of the activities a disabled person may have challenges in participating because of design and configuration of conventional boats. For example, access to the boat with a wheelchair or use of the boat may be difficult or impossible for a disabled person in wheelchair or similar physical impairments.

Typically, a person may need to access the engine, which is commonly positioned in the back of the boat, and the helm, which is typically positioned in the middle of the boat.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Example embodiments are directed to boat configurations and implementations that make it more accessible for disabled people to participate in boating, commercial or recreational. A boat engine may be positioned in front of the helm, a flat boat deck may allow access to the engine and helm by a person in a wheelchair or similar physical impairment, and a flat access to the boat deck at the stern of the boat may allow disabled people to easily get on board.

These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of aspects as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following Detailed Description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A-1C include diagrams of a superstructure for an example boat according to embodiments from different viewing angles.

FIG. 2 is top view diagram of an example boat according to embodiments with example dimensions.

FIG. 3A-3C include illustrations of how a disabled person can access various locations on a boat according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments or examples. These embodiments or examples may be combined, other aspects may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

All dimensions, configurations, and other measures provided herein and in the accompanying drawings are example values. Embodiments may be implemented with other dimensions, configurations, and measures using the principles described herein.

FIG. 1A-1C include diagrams of a superstructure for an example boat according to embodiments from different viewing angles.

As shown in diagrams 100A through 100C, a boat according to embodiments may include a relatively flat deck 102 to enable a disabled person to use a wheelchair or walk with assistive technologies. A canopy or second deck 104 may be above the main deck at a suitable height and accessible through one or more ladders at suitable locations. A gate 110 at the stern of the boat may provide protection while the boat is at sea, but also allow wheelchair access to the deck the boat is docked.

A boat according to embodiments may be powered by an outboard or inboard motor. Any type of motor such as gas, electric, etc. may be used. Engine type, capacity, and other parameters may be selected based on implementation specifics such as size, weight, intended use, etc. of the boat. For example, outboard engines ranging from 45 HP to 300 HP may be utilized.

An engine well 106 housing the engine (not shown) may be placed near the bow of the boat with a helm 108 behind the engine well 106. Placement and dimensions of the engine well 106 and the helm 108 may be selected such that a person in a wheelchair can maneuver around both (behind, on the sides, and in front) to access the engine and use helm controls easily. The entire deck 102 including the area around the helm 108 and the engine well 106 may be relatively flat to allow the person in wheelchair or using assistive technology access all areas.

Fastening/security mechanisms to hold the wheelchair in place behind the helm or in other locations may be provided such as S-tracking or similar ones. The sides, bow, and stern of the boat may be equipped with safety railing. The stern may also include a safety locking gate. Special railing may be provided at stern or either side of the boat to assist disabled people off the boat into water or a smaller paddle boat (e.g., a kayak).

A length and width of the boat may also be selected based on implementation specifics such as size, weight, intended use, etc. of the boat. For example, length may be in range from 9 ft to 36 ft, and width may range from 5 ft to 12 feet. The total weight of the boat may range (for example) from 800 lbs to 6000 lbs. The deck capacity behind the engine well may be estimated around 5000 lbs in an example implementation and may range from 600 lbs to 12000 lbs, for example.

Any suitable materials may be used to build the boat. For example, a fiberglass hull manufactured in a mold may be used. The understructure (stringers, bulkheads and deck) may be made from foam core composite and fiberglass (or other materials). The gunnel and helm may be made from marine treated wood and fiberglass in some examples. The superstructure may be made using anodized marine grade aluminum or similar materials.

FIG. 2 is top view diagram of an example boat according to embodiments with example dimensions.

Diagram 200 shows an example placement configuration for a boat according to embodiments and some of the dimensions that may be critical for accessibility. As mentioned above, engine well 206 with the engine 220 is positioned near the bow of the boat with sufficient spacing 222 to allow wheelchair access to the engine and to allow a person in wheelchair maneuver around the engine well 206. Helm 208 is placed behind the engine well 206. A width 224 of the deck and a spacing 226 between the helm 208 and the sides of the boat may be selected to allow easy access to wheelchairs. A spacing 2258 between the aft of the boat and the helm 208 may be selected based on the overall length of the boat, helm and engine well dimensions, needed space (e.g., to accommodate a number of passengers, equipment, etc.).

In some example implementations, the helm 208 may be positioned from 4 ft to 25 ft on a boat with a length between 28 ft and 32 ft. The engine well 206 may be positioned from 1 ft to 20 ft in front of the helm on a similar boat.

Embodiments are directed to a power boat that has the engine well 206 positioned in front of the helm 208 and steering wheel for the purpose of giving people with disabilities or other mobility restrictions better access to board the boat from the stern (back) of the boat, as well as access to critical functional elements of the boat. Thus, access may be provided, for mobility impaired people, to all helm operations, a windless (anchor) control panel, fueling intake, battery on/off switch or other controls, safety equipment including life vest, and the engine.

By configuring the engine 220 in front of the helm 208 and having a flat stern, access may be provided for boarding with or without mechanical aids such as wheelchairs or lifts. The boat may include other typical boat accessories such as a shade, electronic equipment (e.g., radar), etc.

FIG. 3A-3C include illustrations of how a disabled person can access various locations on a boat according to embodiments.

As shown in diagram 300A, a disabled person 330 (e.g., using a wheelchair) may get on board through the stern. As the boat is configured with a flat deck 302, the disabled person 330 may get on board using a ramp or directly from a dock. In some cases, a lift of similar aid technology may also be accommodated. Once on board, the disabled person may have easy access to the helm 308, engine well 306, and engine 320. Indeed, with the help of the flat deck and sufficient spacing around the helm 308, engine well 306, and engine 320, the disabled person 330 may maneuver around those and access them from different angles.

Diagram 300B shows the disabled person 330 in front of the helm 308 controlling boat operations. As mentioned above, fastening and/or security mechanisms to hold the wheelchair in place behind the helm or in other locations may be provided such as S-tracking or similar ones. The sides, bow, and stern of the boat may also be equipped with safety railing. The stern may also include a safety locking gate.

Diagram 300C shows the disabled person 330 next to the engine well 206. With the help of the flat deck and sufficient spacing around the helm 308, engine well 306, and engine 320, the disabled person 330 may access the engine well 308 and the engine 320 from different angles to start the boat, to maintain the engine, or perform other tasks.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or aspects, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or aspect within such block diagrams or examples may be implemented, according to embodiments formed, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of materials, components, hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. 

1. A boat configured for people using a wheelchair, the boat comprising: a flat main deck configured to allow access for a person using the wheelchair to substantially all locations on the main deck; a safety locking gate at a stern of the boat to allow access to the boat for the person using the wheelchair; an engine well configured to house an engine, and a helm configured to house equipment to control boat operations, wherein the engine well is positioned proximate to a bow of the boat, the helm is positioned behind the engine well toward a stern of the boat, and a spacing between the engine well, the helm and front, sides, and back of the boat is configured to allow access to the person using the wheelchair to substantially all locations on the main deck.
 2. The boat of claim 1, further comprising: a second deck positioned above the main deck and accessible through one or more ladders.
 3. The boat of claim 2, wherein the second deck is a canopy. 4.-6. (canceled)
 7. The boat of claim 1, further comprising: a security mechanism positioned at one or more of behind the helm, on a side of the engine well, in front of the engine well, and along a side of the boat, wherein the security mechanism is configured to hold a wheelchair in place.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The boat of claim 1, wherein the main deck is configured to provide access to the boat for the people using assistive technologies at the stern of the boat through one or more of a ramp, and direct access from a dock.
 10. A boat configured for people using assistive technologies, the boat comprising: a substantially flat main deck configured to provide access to the boat for the people using assistive technologies at a stern of the boat through one or more of a ramp, and direct access from a dock; an engine well configured to house an engine, wherein the engine well is positioned proximate to a bow of the boat with sufficient spacing between a front of the engine well and the bow of the boat to allow access to the engine well for the people using assistive technologies; and a helm configured to house equipment to control boat operations, wherein the helm is positioned behind the engine well toward the stern of the boat with sufficient spacing between the helm and the sides of the boat to allow access to the helm for the people using assistive technologies.
 11. The boat of claim 10, wherein a total length of the boat is in a range between 9ft and 36 ft, and a total width of the boat is in a range between 5 ft and 12 ft.
 12. The boat of claim 11, wherein the helm is positioned in a range between 4 ft and 25 ft from the stern of the boat.
 13. The boat of claim 12, wherein the engine well is positioned in a range between 1 ft and 20 ft in front of the helm of the boat.
 14. The boat of claim 10, wherein the engine is an outboard motor or an inboard motor.
 15. The boat of claim 10, wherein the engine is a gas-powered motor or an electric powered motor.
 16. The boat of claim 10, further comprising: a removable security railing positioned along a side of the boat configured to allow the people using assistive technologies off the boat into water or to a smaller boat.
 17. The boat of claim 10, wherein a deck capacity of the boat is in a range between 600 lbs and 12000 lbs.
 18. The boat of claim 10, wherein a superstructure of the boat is manufactured from fiberglass, marine treated wood, composite material, or marine grade aluminum.
 19. The boat of claim 10, further comprising: a safety locking mechanism positioned at one or more of behind the helm, on a side of the engine well, in front of the engine well, and along a side of the boat, wherein the safety locking mechanism is configured to hold a wheelchair in place.
 20. The boat of claim 10, wherein the main deck and the spacing between the engine well, the helm and the front, sides, and back of the boat are configured to allow access through use of assistive technologies comprising a wheelchair, a walker, crutches, or prosthetic legs. 